Armstrong Clark Wood Stains comes in 16 different color choices. Armstrong Clark penetrates into the wood grain while “enhancing” the natural color tones of your wood.
Very Important: We do not guarantee final colors due to age and species of the wood, and how wood is prepared, affects the final color of an applied stain. Please use an Armstrong Clark Sample can to test for color and absorption on your wood before beginning application. Please wait 48 to 72 hours after applying the sample before viewing for the final color.
Final Armstrong Clark color will vary based on:
Type of Wood
Age of Wood
Prepping of Wood
Application method
Any Questions on Armstrong Clark Colors? Ask in the Comments below.
Armstrong Clark Stain Photo Gallery
Armstrong Clark Transparent Natural Tone
Armstrong Clark Transparent Natural Tone
Armstrong Clark Transparent Natural Tone
Armstrong Clark Transparent Natural Tone
Armstrong Clark Transparent Natural Tone
Armstrong Clark Transparent Natural Tone
Armstrong Clark Transparent Cedar Tone
Armstrong Clark Transparent Cedar Tone
Armstrong Clark Transparent Cedar Tone
Armstrong Clark Transparent Cedar Tone
Armstrong Clark Transparent Cedar Tone
Armstrong Clark Transparent Cedar Tone
Armstrong Clark Transparent Cedar Tone
Armstrong Clark Transparent Cedar Tone
Armstrong Clark Transparent Cedar Tone
Armstrong Clark Redwood Tone Lake House
Armstrong Clark Redwood Tone Garage Door
Armstrong Clark Redwood Tone Deck
Armstrong Clark Redwood Tone
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar Deck on Clear Redwood
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar on Home
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar on Home
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar on Home
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar on Home
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar on Home
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar on Home
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar on Fence
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar on Fence
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar on Dock
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar on Fence and Deck
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar on Deck
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar on Deck
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar on Deck
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar on Deck
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar on Deck
Armstrong Clark Natural Oak
Armstrong Clark Natural Oak on Fence
Armstrong Clark Natural Oak on Deck
Armstrong Clark Natural Oak on Deck
Armstrong Clark Natural Oak on Deck
Armstrong Clark Natural Oak on Deck
Armstrong Clark Rustic Brown
Armstrong Clark Rustic Brown on House
Armstrong Clark Rustic Brown
Armstrong Clark Rustic Brown
Armstrong Clark Rustic Brown on Fence
Armstrong Clark Rustic Brown on Deck
Armstrong Clark Rustic Brown on Deck
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Driftwood on Deck
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Driftwood on Deck
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Driftwood on Deck
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Chestnut
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Chestnut on Deck
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Chestnut on Deck
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Chestnut on Deck
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Chestnut on Deck
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Chestnut on Deck
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Chestnut on Deck
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Sierra Redwood
Armstrong Clark Sierra Redwood
Armstrong Clark Sierra Redwood
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Amber on Hardwood
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Amber on Hardwood
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Amber on Hardwood
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Amber
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Amber
Armstrong Clark Mahogany on Hard Wood
Armstrong Clark Mahogany on IPE Wood
Armstrong Clark Mahogany on IPE Wood
Armstrong Clark Mahogany on IPE Wood
Armstrong Clark Mahogany on IPE Wood
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Black Walnut
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Black Walnut
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Black Walnut
Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Black Walnut
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Mountain Cedar
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Mountain Cedar
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Mountain Cedar
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Mountain Cedar
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Mountain Cedar
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Mountain Cedar
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Mountain Cedar
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Mountain Cedar
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Mountain Cedar
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Woodland Brown
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Woodland Brown
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Woodland Brown
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Woodland Brown
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Sequoia
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Sequoia
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Sequoia
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Sequoia
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Sequoia
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Sequoia
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Sequoia
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Sequoia
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Oxford Brown
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Oxford Brown
Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Oxford Brown
Armstrong Clark Stain Espresso
Armstrong Clark Stain Espresso
Armstrong Clark Stain Espresso
There are over 100 pictures of all Armstrong Clark stain colors. Descriptions of stain colors are below each picture.
Colors are listed in the same order as Color Chart.
If you have used the Armstrong Clark Stains, we would love to see your photos!
Please add them in the comment area below
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Nancy
2 years ago
Any pictures of cedar decking stained in Oxford Brown or Espresso?
I have an existing redwood deck, semi transparent in rustic brown. New deck now adjoins. I would like to even out the contrast to be somewhere in the middle. What is involved? What do you suggest? I love your product!
I stained my deck 2 years ago with semi transparent cedar and it needs refreshing. I was thinking of using a darker semi solid. Can I go to the darkest espresso over the cedar colour? I would love to see some examples of the espresso semi solid but noticed that it is not represented in your photo album. Could you add some pics of the espresso?
For prep, you should use the RAD Stripper and Brightener.
Jeff
2 years ago
Hi there. We just had a screened in porch built in June. The porch has vinyl windows/screens (EZBREEZE) installed. It is fresh pressure treated wood as of June. Due to the windows, using a pressure washer is not an option. Can I apply directly to pressure treated pine that has been installed now for 3 months? moisture content is below 12%.
Not without prep. You will need to clean and brighten.
Bill Whetsel
2 years ago
Cedar deck using Armstrong Clarke semi transparent cedar stain.
helen
2 years ago
Hi, we followed all the instructions, weathered our kiln dried, T&G, fir decking for just over a year and the dark walnut stain we applied is much lighter and redder in color than the samples we applied. Is it ok to put a second coat on it after the first has cured? If so, how long should we wait?Thanks,Helen
A few years ago I did my entire home using A-C stains: cedar siding, cedar soffits, redwood trim and hemlock windows. Beautiful and much better than the Penofin I used many years before. Lat week I re-did my mahogany doors with the hardwood stain – see the picture – absolutely beautiful.
pam
3 years ago
We built a new pine ptw deck last year in the spring and waited a year before using your total process to clean and stain in May. We live in the woods and have over 2000 SQ feet of decks all stained using your product. We were away the month of August and Sept. and returned to acorns all over the place, which is normal, however the newest deck that was done in May has polka dots all over it from where the acorns sat. We have tried several methods to get the sports off, lightened them but they are still very much there. Btw, the spots are only on the most new deck stained in May. All the other decks have acorns but do not have the residue on the wood that the new deck has. Any ideas?
Thank you. I read that stains with Red Pigment will last a bit longer. I would imagine Mahogany has a lot of Red, but Amber does not have Red in it. Will the Amber last the same as the Mahogany? I also read some people mix colors. Thank you.
We are going to install a new mahogany front porch. Should I allow it to weather first or stain directly? Also, should I first apply a weather sealer before staining?
You can stain it right away since it is rough sawn cut.
3 years ago
Hello. Last summer I prepped (used both Restore-A-Deck products) and then stained our cedar deck with semi-transparent cedar tone. I’m very happy with the results (picture attached), but I have two questions: 1) If I want to use the Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Mountain Cedar next year, do I need to strip the deck, or can I just clean it with the water-bleach-soap solution mentioned elsewhere and then apply this over the old semi-transparent stain? 2) If I wanted to use the Black Walnut Semi-Transparent Stain, could I theoretically apply this over the semi-transparent cedar tone after cleaning with the water-bleach-soap solution (and after testing for what it would look like)? Thank you!
Author
3 years ago
Reply to
1. Strip and then brighten for best results.
2. You should strip as well.
3 years ago
I’m sure this has been answered, but I cannot find the answer. We live north of Toronto in Ontario. Our PT deck is 6 years old and has been stained twice with a C2 acrylic stain in Tupelo Honey (yellowish brown), that has not held up either time and is grossly over priced for the quality. Do we have to strip the existing stain off the deck as it’s already worn off in many areas and is really hard to do as their are uprights and a pergola to do as well, or which of your products do you recommend before we sand and stain again?TIA,Barb
Author
3 years ago
Reply to
Yes, you would have to fully remove the current stain before using the AC stains. Once it is removed, you can use any of the AC colors that you like.
Ann
3 years ago
I bought some used acacia wood deck tiles that are about three years old. They had a semi-solid type stain on them that was worn off in some areas. I’ve cleaned and thoroughly sanded them. I live in Santa Barbara, CA, and my deck area is will be in part sun and part shade. Is there any other prep that I need to do? Should I use one of the semi-transparent colors on them or one of the hardwood/IPE colors?
We are not very familiar with their colors. Maybe Cedar Semi-transparent would be closest.
Chris N
3 years ago
Hello, Last year I stripped, sanded and stained my deck with Rustic brown. I believe the deck is douglas fir. What do you suggest for annual maintenance? I live in the Pacific Northwest and so the decks took a beating over the winter. Seems to me a light cleaning and an additional coat in the same color makes sense,right?
Use the RAD Cleaner kits and then apply one light coat of the Rustic Brown.
Kathy
3 years ago
I have an IPE wood deck and used Timber Ox Green stain – color Russet. This stain is no longer available. What does Armstrong Clark make that is comparable ?
I stripped multiple film layers of what appeared to be Sikkens DEK coatings (or similar acrylic/alkyd/urethane) that were put on by the previous owner of a 15 year old cedar deck. There are some spots that didn’t come off 100% and I plan to sand those down with an orbital sander. Some boards have rotted and I will replace them.
Would you recommend AC for my deck if I can fully remove the prior stains? I’ve seen your comments not to use AC if you currently have a solid stain. Does that advice apply to all decks with film finishes?
You do have to remove the old stain before using the AC. Post a picture when you are done with the prep and we will let you know if the prep is good to stain.
Amy
3 years ago
I just posted this question but Incorrect year – it’s April 2021 it was installed!
I had a redwood fence installed in April 2019 in Northern California (non-pressure treated redwood). How long do you recommend I wait before staining? Also, I would like to find a a semi-transparent stain that is a pure brown tint with as little as possible redness coming thru – what color would you recommend? And the longer I wait to stain does that reduce the redness?
Best to try some samples of the colors we suggested to test on your wood as colors will vary based on wood type and age of the wood.https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/samples
Amy
3 years ago
I had a redwood fence installed in April 2019 in Northern California (non-pressure treated redwood). How long do you recommend I wait before staining? Also, I would like to find a a semi-transparent stain that is a pure brown tint with as little as possible redness coming thru – what color would you recommend? And the longer I wait to stain does that reduce the redness?
3 years ago
Our deck is approximately 16 years old and overall in fairly good shape. We have sanded the floor and have one board that needs to be replaced. Because the deck receives several hours of hot afternoon sun, I am considering the semi-solid AC stain however it states not to be used on “new” deck. If I am replacing only one board with a new board, do I need to stain everything except that one board for the first year?
Author
3 years ago
Reply to
Yes, as it will not take into the new wood and have curing issues.
3 years ago
Reply to
thank you
CC
3 years ago
how long can I wait to stain after prepping with cleaner and brightener
Hi, I’m about to power wash and stain a new deck that’s about 1year and3 months old. Can you give me some guidance on your driftwood color? Is it a black gray or blue gray? And, do you offer a sample palette so customers could try your colors before making a final decision?Thank youBernice Harveyberniceharvey@gmail.com
Completely different brands. You would have to ask TWP about their stains.
Amanda
3 years ago
We need to redo our new deck due to a bad job. The ceiling is blotchy and not right, the natural color (not your product) came out a bright yellow. We are not sure what happened- completed by a professional, not us. Anyway, your product comes highly recommended, but can you recommend the process for using it. Do we have entire deck and ceiling sanded down and test your colors? Do we need to do anything else beyond sanding? Our floor is actually composite, so it is railing and ceiling and posts. Since rough posts and beam can’t be sanded can we do anything about those (maybe apply another color over to make more brown?) It looks like you may have a sample kit?
Hello,
You will need to fully remove the Cabot first. Sand and or strip as needed. Once removed, make sure to clean and brighten the wood. If this wood is new, you will need to let all wood weather for 3 months before cleaning and brightening the wood. We sell samples, not sample kits.
Redoing cedar deck about 10 years old re-stained about 3.5 years ago. Need cleaner/re-vitalizer whatever is recommended. Also, not sure if i should be buying transparent stain or solid, attached are pictures would like the darkest without any hints of red. Please look at the railing for color reference it was a little wet when I took the pics.
Author
3 years ago
Reply to
Hello,
You have a solid stain on there now. This cannot be stripped off and the AC stains cannot be used over this as they do not come in solid colors.
3 years ago
Full sun southern exposure, Alexandria Va, 1 yr old pressure treated pine deck that needs its first treatment. I love how our deck has oxidized to a beautiful soft gray. Would the natural tone allow the wood to oxidize, but still protect it, and approximately how often would we need to reapply? We are also considering the driftwood color, ordered a sample and hoping it is not too blue.
Author
3 years ago
Reply to
Natural Tone is tinted and AC does not come in a Clear. You can use the Driftwood Gray.
Dave
3 years ago
I have a new cedar tongue and groove fence put up around my house. One side is smooth the other side is more rough. Looking for a stain, interested in either transparent cedar tone or semitransparent cedar.Does the semi last longer than the transparent or are do they last roughly the same time? I have cedar shake on the front of my house that has something similar to redwood stain and want a different stain for my fence. Which stain would you recommend out of those two? I’m looking for something that would brighten the wood up, almost like what it looks like when the wood is wet with more natural tones. I guess that would be the transparent cedar tone?? Just worried about the lifespan and ease of re application.
We couldn’t be happier or more pleased – Armstrong-Clark Chestnut on new cedar fence – only cleaned with garden hose and brush……next up – a couple decks still drying out s bit – we bought mill glaze remover and will now use sharkskin cleaner and brightener next month……The fence drank up the semi transparent oil based stain – I had to order more – there was 170 feet of fence and needed to do both sides…….great product – highly recommend….
Aliren1
3 years ago
Reply to
How much did you have to get total for your fence?
Denise Zitzmann
3 years ago
I have been told by your AC staff that according to the photos of my deck I should use a stripper and the gel and booster. Can this be applied with a pump sprayer? Also wanted to know if I need to protect my powder coated aluminum rails and trex posts from these chemicals as well as my siding, and plants around the deck. Will rubber boots work to protect our feet or do we need special boots for chemicals. Please advise. Just waiting on my samples to decide which color stain I will use.
Yes, you can spray it with a quality pump sprayer. Any boots will work. Trex should not be harmed. Test spot the aluminum to see if a reaction occurs. Cover plants to be safe.
Cristian
3 years ago
I’m looking to stain an outside deck.
Mahogany will be our pick.
Is that going to work?
Thank you
Built a new home and a new 30 x 10 deck out of treated material deck is exposed to all the elements in Northeast Alabama which stain is recommended?I have used Armstrong stain in the pass on a 20 year old deck with great results.
I was going to clean an A-C stained deck with a product that is 5% sodium hypochloride mixed half and half with water. It claims to be safe for stained decks, but in another answer you warned against anything containing bleach. Can you comment further? Thanks.
It will damage the stain, and you will need to reapply. It is also not the best way to prep for reapplying.
Justin
3 years ago
Reply to
Can you comment on the best way to clean an AC stained deck? I have your transparent stain on a cedar deck and after just a couple months, it is appearing very dark with what looks like dirt.
That looks like dirt on the deck. Try warm water with a little bit of dish soap.
Justin
3 years ago
Reply to
This cleaned the deck, but also took a lot of stain off. I’m going to need to strip and apply something different.
My stairs still look great. Why did these not turn black? They get similar sun and probably more traffic.
No idea why the dirt did not get on the steps. Could be from trees, etc.
Denise Zitzmann
3 years ago
I have a pool that is surrounded by a cedar deck. Will the armstrong semi solid stain be slippery with the penetrating oils when wet with water? Also will it hold up with the chlorine and water it will be exposed to during the summer. I live in NE. Ohio. Thank you.
It is not slippery, but deck stains will be damaged from chlorine water. The chlorine will bleach or lighten the color over time.
Denise
3 years ago
Reply to
Thank you. Will the semi solid be hotter on your bare feet than the semi transparent? I am looking at the semi solid for a more uniform look and the sample that is closest to the current color a brown with a bit of red in it. Woodland Brown or Mountain Cedar. I believe that the contractor who did it last used either Sikkens or Super Deck semi solid stain.
Darker colors tend to be hotter, not having more pigment.
Jenny
3 years ago
We stripped, sanded and stained our deck with Semi-transparent Rustic Brown last year in April 2020. I have attached pictures of what it looked like last summer about a month after staining and how it looks now. The horizontals on the railing and benches both got two coats last year while the floor received one. We still love it, but as you can see, there are some signs of wear on the flooring areas.
I wanted to know how to best proceed to fix the worn areas. What steps do you suggest? Do I need to do all of the flooring area or can I just fix the worn spots? Thank you!
RAD kit is preferred. Possibly but that depends on the use and weathering.
Jenny
3 years ago
Reply to
Thank you.
Allison
3 years ago
Can you mix the AC Amber and Mahogany stains together? All of the photos in the gallery show Amber being much darker than the swatch photo. We have the mahogany now but want to go a little less red. Thank you!
I have been using AC Sierra Redwood on my deck for the last three staining projects. I would like to change to a semisolid color. My first question is can that be done over the semitransparent stain, and if so could I use either Mountain Cedar or Woodland Brown? I like the look of both of these colors would one or the other provide easier coverage?
For IPE there are only three colors and you cannot use the other AC colors on IPE or exotic hardwoods.
Bill Brunson
3 years ago
I will be using KDAT pressure treated wood for my railings and stairs supports and railings. I have composite flooring. How long do I need to wait before I stain and what preparation do I need to perform? I plan to use your semi-transparent stain, driftwood color.
What should I use to treat/stain a brand new Tigerwood wetroom wall to achieve a color between natural and redwood? ***See example rendering with ideal wood color superimposed on actual bathroom image.
Amber would give you that look but AC is not suggested for indoors due to the strong oil based odor. You can use it but the odor may linger for a week or longer.
Anthony
3 years ago
Reply to
And for reasons related to difference in climate, I should not stain and leave outside for a week before bringing inside and mounting, correct?
So my wife has let the dogs out on the deck and they have peed all over it multiple times in multiple places. It has discolored the areas where they have peed at. I’ve tried to minimize the damage by washing the pee off with water whenever I see it still fresh on the deck. Is there anything I can do to repair the spots they have made?? I have extra stain left over so could I just re-stain some of those spots?? Thanks for any info!!
Sorry but thre is not a way to spot treat this and have it blend. You would have to clean and prep all the floors to redo or spot stain those areas and have it look a little better but it will not blend fully.
mark
3 years ago
what stain is this? It looks like Driftwood but other pics on your site have it as very grey. thanks
Any pictures of cedar decking stained in Oxford Brown or Espresso?
See comment beloe for Espresso pics:
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/articles/182-armstrong-clark-wood-and-deck-stain-photo-album?comment_id=8800
I have an existing redwood deck, semi transparent in rustic brown. New deck now adjoins. I would like to even out the contrast to be somewhere in the middle. What is involved? What do you suggest? I love your product!
It is not possible to get new and old wood to match as the new wood will always stain lighter in color.
See here about new wood: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
Strip and brighten the older wood down to the bare wood when it is time to stain.
Would sanding the old deck be unsuccessful or too labor intensive?
Sanding will not fix your discoloration issues.
I stained my deck 2 years ago with semi transparent cedar and it needs refreshing. I was thinking of using a darker semi solid. Can I go to the darkest espresso over the cedar colour? I would love to see some examples of the espresso semi solid but noticed that it is not represented in your photo album. Could you add some pics of the espresso?
For prep, you should use the RAD Stripper and Brightener.
Hi there. We just had a screened in porch built in June. The porch has vinyl windows/screens (EZBREEZE) installed. It is fresh pressure treated wood as of June. Due to the windows, using a pressure washer is not an option. Can I apply directly to pressure treated pine that has been installed now for 3 months? moisture content is below 12%.
Not without prep. You will need to clean and brighten.
Cedar deck using Armstrong Clarke semi transparent cedar stain.
Hi, we followed all the instructions, weathered our kiln dried, T&G, fir decking for just over a year and the dark walnut stain we applied is much lighter and redder in color than the samples we applied. Is it ok to put a second coat on it after the first has cured? If so, how long should we wait?Thanks,Helen
Yes, you can apply another very light coat now.
Can your stains be used to refinish kitchen cabinets? If so what prep do I need to do first? Any application advise?
No, you cannot.
A few years ago I did my entire home using A-C stains: cedar siding, cedar soffits, redwood trim and hemlock windows. Beautiful and much better than the Penofin I used many years before. Lat week I re-did my mahogany doors with the hardwood stain – see the picture – absolutely beautiful.
We built a new pine ptw deck last year in the spring and waited a year before using your total process to clean and stain in May. We live in the woods and have over 2000 SQ feet of decks all stained using your product. We were away the month of August and Sept. and returned to acorns all over the place, which is normal, however the newest deck that was done in May has polka dots all over it from where the acorns sat. We have tried several methods to get the sports off, lightened them but they are still very much there. Btw, the spots are only on the most new deck stained in May. All the other decks have acorns but do not have the residue on the wood that the new deck has. Any ideas?
Only way to remove the organic stain spots is to prep and recoat the deck. Might want to want until Spring.
what is the best color to keep or enrich the look of IPE?
Amber.
Thank you. I read that stains with Red Pigment will last a bit longer. I would imagine Mahogany has a lot of Red, but Amber does not have Red in it. Will the Amber last the same as the Mahogany? I also read some people mix colors. Thank you.
About the same in durability.
Building a trex deck with clam color trex floor.We have Grey brick, grey shakes white trim. What color should my balusters and railings be?
Any color that you like will work.
We are going to install a new mahogany front porch. Should I allow it to weather first or stain directly? Also, should I first apply a weather sealer before staining?
See here: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
Hello….New rough cut cedar fence built last week. How long do I need to wait before staining. This is light cedar not western red cedar.
You can stain it right away since it is rough sawn cut.
Hello. Last summer I prepped (used both Restore-A-Deck products) and then stained our cedar deck with semi-transparent cedar tone. I’m very happy with the results (picture attached), but I have two questions: 1) If I want to use the Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Mountain Cedar next year, do I need to strip the deck, or can I just clean it with the water-bleach-soap solution mentioned elsewhere and then apply this over the old semi-transparent stain? 2) If I wanted to use the Black Walnut Semi-Transparent Stain, could I theoretically apply this over the semi-transparent cedar tone after cleaning with the water-bleach-soap solution (and after testing for what it would look like)? Thank you!
1. Strip and then brighten for best results.
2. You should strip as well.
I’m sure this has been answered, but I cannot find the answer. We live north of Toronto in Ontario. Our PT deck is 6 years old and has been stained twice with a C2 acrylic stain in Tupelo Honey (yellowish brown), that has not held up either time and is grossly over priced for the quality. Do we have to strip the existing stain off the deck as it’s already worn off in many areas and is really hard to do as their are uprights and a pergola to do as well, or which of your products do you recommend before we sand and stain again?TIA,Barb
Yes, you would have to fully remove the current stain before using the AC stains. Once it is removed, you can use any of the AC colors that you like.
I bought some used acacia wood deck tiles that are about three years old. They had a semi-solid type stain on them that was worn off in some areas. I’ve cleaned and thoroughly sanded them. I live in Santa Barbara, CA, and my deck area is will be in part sun and part shade. Is there any other prep that I need to do? Should I use one of the semi-transparent colors on them or one of the hardwood/IPE colors?
Use one of the hardwood colors. Prep with this kit after the sanding to open up the wood pores:https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
is ” black walnut” a Semi- Transparent color and can it be used on 2 year old pressure treated wood? Thank you.
Yes to both.
So I’m trying to match superdeck color valley. What do think is closest or a mix that could be closer. Thanks
We are not very familiar with their colors. Maybe Cedar Semi-transparent would be closest.
Hello, Last year I stripped, sanded and stained my deck with Rustic brown. I believe the deck is douglas fir. What do you suggest for annual maintenance? I live in the Pacific Northwest and so the decks took a beating over the winter. Seems to me a light cleaning and an additional coat in the same color makes sense,right?
Use the RAD Cleaner kits and then apply one light coat of the Rustic Brown.
I have an IPE wood deck and used Timber Ox Green stain – color Russet. This stain is no longer available. What does Armstrong Clark make that is comparable ?
Remove the current stain first and then try the AC in Mahogany color.
Do you have any pics of semi-transparent chestnut on redwood?
We do not. You can order samples here: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/samples
I stripped multiple film layers of what appeared to be Sikkens DEK coatings (or similar acrylic/alkyd/urethane) that were put on by the previous owner of a 15 year old cedar deck. There are some spots that didn’t come off 100% and I plan to sand those down with an orbital sander. Some boards have rotted and I will replace them.
Would you recommend AC for my deck if I can fully remove the prior stains? I’ve seen your comments not to use AC if you currently have a solid stain. Does that advice apply to all decks with film finishes?
You do have to remove the old stain before using the AC. Post a picture when you are done with the prep and we will let you know if the prep is good to stain.
I just posted this question but Incorrect year – it’s April 2021 it was installed!
I had a redwood fence installed in April 2019 in Northern California (non-pressure treated redwood). How long do you recommend I wait before staining? Also, I would like to find a a semi-transparent stain that is a pure brown tint with as little as possible redness coming thru – what color would you recommend? And the longer I wait to stain does that reduce the redness?
Since it is rough sawn you can stain it now. Look at Rustic Brown color or Black Walnut. You cannot reduce the redness of which is in your wood type.
Ok thank you – is there any stain color that will look less “red”? Or is one option not staining at all
Best to try some samples of the colors we suggested to test on your wood as colors will vary based on wood type and age of the wood.https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/samples
I had a redwood fence installed in April 2019 in Northern California (non-pressure treated redwood). How long do you recommend I wait before staining? Also, I would like to find a a semi-transparent stain that is a pure brown tint with as little as possible redness coming thru – what color would you recommend? And the longer I wait to stain does that reduce the redness?
Our deck is approximately 16 years old and overall in fairly good shape. We have sanded the floor and have one board that needs to be replaced. Because the deck receives several hours of hot afternoon sun, I am considering the semi-solid AC stain however it states not to be used on “new” deck. If I am replacing only one board with a new board, do I need to stain everything except that one board for the first year?
Yes, as it will not take into the new wood and have curing issues.
thank you
how long can I wait to stain after prepping with cleaner and brightener
48 hours after prep. Stain within 2 weeks.
Hi, I’m about to power wash and stain a new deck that’s about 1year and3 months old. Can you give me some guidance on your driftwood color? Is it a black gray or blue gray? And, do you offer a sample palette so customers could try your colors before making a final decision?Thank youBernice Harveyberniceharvey@gmail.com
Color vary based on wood type and the age of the wood. Best to test samples: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/samples
what is the difference between armstrong clark cedar tone and TWP 1501
Completely different brands. You would have to ask TWP about their stains.
We need to redo our new deck due to a bad job. The ceiling is blotchy and not right, the natural color (not your product) came out a bright yellow. We are not sure what happened- completed by a professional, not us. Anyway, your product comes highly recommended, but can you recommend the process for using it. Do we have entire deck and ceiling sanded down and test your colors? Do we need to do anything else beyond sanding? Our floor is actually composite, so it is railing and ceiling and posts. Since rough posts and beam can’t be sanded can we do anything about those (maybe apply another color over to make more brown?) It looks like you may have a sample kit?
Hello,
You will need to fully remove the Cabot first. Sand and or strip as needed. Once removed, make sure to clean and brighten the wood. If this wood is new, you will need to let all wood weather for 3 months before cleaning and brightening the wood. We sell samples, not sample kits.
Thanks- is planing wood okay too?
I guess but that seems harder.
Redoing cedar deck about 10 years old re-stained about 3.5 years ago. Need cleaner/re-vitalizer whatever is recommended. Also, not sure if i should be buying transparent stain or solid, attached are pictures would like the darkest without any hints of red. Please look at the railing for color reference it was a little wet when I took the pics.
Hello,
You have a solid stain on there now. This cannot be stripped off and the AC stains cannot be used over this as they do not come in solid colors.
Full sun southern exposure, Alexandria Va, 1 yr old pressure treated pine deck that needs its first treatment. I love how our deck has oxidized to a beautiful soft gray. Would the natural tone allow the wood to oxidize, but still protect it, and approximately how often would we need to reapply? We are also considering the driftwood color, ordered a sample and hoping it is not too blue.
Natural Tone is tinted and AC does not come in a Clear. You can use the Driftwood Gray.
I have a new cedar tongue and groove fence put up around my house. One side is smooth the other side is more rough. Looking for a stain, interested in either transparent cedar tone or semitransparent cedar.Does the semi last longer than the transparent or are do they last roughly the same time? I have cedar shake on the front of my house that has something similar to redwood stain and want a different stain for my fence. Which stain would you recommend out of those two? I’m looking for something that would brighten the wood up, almost like what it looks like when the wood is wet with more natural tones. I guess that would be the transparent cedar tone?? Just worried about the lifespan and ease of re application.
Cedar semi will last longer.
We couldn’t be happier or more pleased – Armstrong-Clark Chestnut on new cedar fence – only cleaned with garden hose and brush……next up – a couple decks still drying out s bit – we bought mill glaze remover and will now use sharkskin cleaner and brightener next month……The fence drank up the semi transparent oil based stain – I had to order more – there was 170 feet of fence and needed to do both sides…….great product – highly recommend….
How much did you have to get total for your fence?
I have been told by your AC staff that according to the photos of my deck I should use a stripper and the gel and booster. Can this be applied with a pump sprayer? Also wanted to know if I need to protect my powder coated aluminum rails and trex posts from these chemicals as well as my siding, and plants around the deck. Will rubber boots work to protect our feet or do we need special boots for chemicals. Please advise. Just waiting on my samples to decide which color stain I will use.
Yes, you can spray it with a quality pump sprayer. Any boots will work. Trex should not be harmed. Test spot the aluminum to see if a reaction occurs. Cover plants to be safe.
I’m looking to stain an outside deck.
Mahogany will be our pick.
Is that going to work?
Thank you
Yes, works great!
Built a new home and a new 30 x 10 deck out of treated material deck is exposed to all the elements in Northeast Alabama which stain is recommended?I have used Armstrong stain in the pass on a 20 year old deck with great results.
Any color will work. See here about new wood. https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
I was going to clean an A-C stained deck with a product that is 5% sodium hypochloride mixed half and half with water. It claims to be safe for stained decks, but in another answer you warned against anything containing bleach. Can you comment further? Thanks.
It will damage the stain, and you will need to reapply. It is also not the best way to prep for reapplying.
Can you comment on the best way to clean an AC stained deck? I have your transparent stain on a cedar deck and after just a couple months, it is appearing very dark with what looks like dirt.
That looks like dirt on the deck. Try warm water with a little bit of dish soap.
This cleaned the deck, but also took a lot of stain off. I’m going to need to strip and apply something different.
My stairs still look great. Why did these not turn black? They get similar sun and probably more traffic.
No idea why the dirt did not get on the steps. Could be from trees, etc.
I have a pool that is surrounded by a cedar deck. Will the armstrong semi solid stain be slippery with the penetrating oils when wet with water? Also will it hold up with the chlorine and water it will be exposed to during the summer. I live in NE. Ohio. Thank you.
It is not slippery, but deck stains will be damaged from chlorine water. The chlorine will bleach or lighten the color over time.
Thank you. Will the semi solid be hotter on your bare feet than the semi transparent? I am looking at the semi solid for a more uniform look and the sample that is closest to the current color a brown with a bit of red in it. Woodland Brown or Mountain Cedar. I believe that the contractor who did it last used either Sikkens or Super Deck semi solid stain.
Darker colors tend to be hotter, not having more pigment.
We stripped, sanded and stained our deck with Semi-transparent Rustic Brown last year in April 2020. I have attached pictures of what it looked like last summer about a month after staining and how it looks now. The horizontals on the railing and benches both got two coats last year while the floor received one. We still love it, but as you can see, there are some signs of wear on the flooring areas.
Best to prep with the RAD Cleaner/Brightener kit and apply one coat to all floors: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
Thank you. We have some Behr wood cleaner/brightener on hand. Will that work or is RAD preferred?
RAD kit is preferred. Possibly but that depends on the use and weathering.
Thank you.
Can you mix the AC Amber and Mahogany stains together? All of the photos in the gallery show Amber being much darker than the swatch photo. We have the mahogany now but want to go a little less red. Thank you!
Yes, you can do this.
Do you have a photo of driftwood gray applied to a deck?
There are a couple in the above photos.
where can I purchase AC semi transparent stain in northern NJ?
We sell online only.
Can you recoat the stain in the same color and type without starting from scratch every year?
Yes.
I have been using AC Sierra Redwood on my deck for the last three staining projects. I would like to change to a semisolid color. My first question is can that be done over the semitransparent stain, and if so could I use either Mountain Cedar or Woodland Brown? I like the look of both of these colors would one or the other provide easier coverage?
For prep, it would be best to strip and brighten so the semi-solid can properly soak into the wood and cure: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper
Is this stain just to be applied as is or does it come with a activator/retarder?
You apply as is. Nothing is added.
As to my question per color; is there any difference between the one labeled Ipe or not?
For IPE there are only three colors and you cannot use the other AC colors on IPE or exotic hardwoods.
I will be using KDAT pressure treated wood for my railings and stairs supports and railings. I have composite flooring. How long do I need to wait before I stain and what preparation do I need to perform? I plan to use your semi-transparent stain, driftwood color.
See here: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
What should I use to treat/stain a brand new Tigerwood wetroom wall to achieve a color between natural and redwood? ***See example rendering with ideal wood color superimposed on actual bathroom image.
Amber would give you that look but AC is not suggested for indoors due to the strong oil based odor. You can use it but the odor may linger for a week or longer.
And for reasons related to difference in climate, I should not stain and leave outside for a week before bringing inside and mounting, correct?
Correct.
So my wife has let the dogs out on the deck and they have peed all over it multiple times in multiple places. It has discolored the areas where they have peed at. I’ve tried to minimize the damage by washing the pee off with water whenever I see it still fresh on the deck. Is there anything I can do to repair the spots they have made?? I have extra stain left over so could I just re-stain some of those spots?? Thanks for any info!!
Sorry but thre is not a way to spot treat this and have it blend. You would have to clean and prep all the floors to redo or spot stain those areas and have it look a little better but it will not blend fully.
what stain is this? It looks like Driftwood but other pics on your site have it as very grey. thanks
Looks like Driftwood, one coat on new wood.